Farmer’s Market seeks new location

Friday

Apr 25, 2014 at 9:16 AMApr 25, 2014 at 9:17 AM

By Linda Greensteintritown@wickedlocal.comA proposal to move the Middleton Farmerís Market three-fourths of a mile down the road from the Angelicaís parking lot to the empty lot in front of the Fuller Meadow School raised questions at the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting on March 27 about school traffic issues, increased traffic volume on busy Route 114 and even potential ethicsí conflicts as two member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, James Fox and Nicholas Yebba were identified as abutters and asked to recuse themselves.The meeting was just one step in the lengthy process of potentially moving the popular market to the new location that included a meeting with the Middleton School Committee, Fuller Meadow principal Diane Carreiro and Police Chief DiGianvittorio, according to Market Manager Mike Cosco.School calendar overlapThe market†hopes to†open for two Wednesdays in June that overlap with the school calendar. Recognizing there may be traffic concerns, the Market Board met proactively with Supt. Creeden and Principal Carreiro. The result was that if the school identifies that the presence of the market is a safety issue on the two overlapping days in June, the Market will agree to adjust their opening time in September and October from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. to ease any concerns.A letter from Superintendent Creeden was presented at the meeting endorsing the location with the caveat that timing would be adjusted if necessary for fall dates. Further, Principal Carreiro addressed the possibility of working cooperatively with the Market on potential learning opportunities.Abutter conflictsWhen members Fox and Yebba were notified that they were abutters and would need to recuse themselves and leave the room, both questioned that decision. Yebba, owner of Teresa's Italian Eatery expressed concerns that if he was asked to leave, he would be unable to participate in the public portion of the meeting.He initially asked for a postponement so that he could arrange to have another representative of his company be available to make comments. Barbara Piselli, ZBA chairperson, recessed the meeting to clarify the regulations regarding ethics conflicts. When the meeting resumed, Yebba was allowed to participate and comment during the public comment process.Traffic safetyAfter meeting with Police Chief DiGianvittorio, the Market group was confident that all safety issues had been resolved, but an expected letter from the Police Chief endorsing the project did not arrive prior to the meeting. This left the ZBA members with concerns that were addressed by Attorney Jill Mann, representing the Farmerís Market. She explained that she was surprised that the letter was not submitted and would contact Chief DiGianvittorio and see that it was submitted immediately.Yebba identified himself as sponsor of the Farmerís Market and supporter of the concept, but was opposed to the proposed new location for safety reasons. He first stated that he believes there is "not a safe distance between the driveways" and the "driveway is unsafe because (Route) 114 is a nightmare and that drivers coming from the Maggieís Farm side canít see the driveway." He also questioned if the distance between driveways met state highway standards. He said that "if it rains, the lot will get soupy and people wonít park there. Instead they will park in the school lot or in our (Teresa's ) parking lot."A lengthy discussion on traffic patterns and attendance at the Farmerís Market ensued and Mann identified that there will be a maximum of 24 tents for vendors, approximately 50 parking spots and a separation of pedestrian and vehicle traffic along with volunteers in reflective vests directing patrons to parking spots as recommended by Chief DiGianvittorio.Mann†also noted that except for the two days in June the Farmerís Market will create less traffic than the school.Seeing is believingA site walk was conducted on April 13. Cosco reports that the site walking went well and he is pleased to provide the ZBA with all the information necessary and to work together with all the parties to once again make the Farmerís Market available to the community.The variance request was continued to the April 24 ZBA meeting after this weekís Transcript deadline for news had passed.